Hotel Happenings

HOTEL HAPPENINGS

HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION INVESTS OVER $66 MILLION TO SHOWCASE A RENEWED HILTON NEW ORLEANS RIVERSIDE

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside, which has been a prominent fixture of the city’s downtown since 1977, has received over $66 million for a series of ongoing improvements designed to complement the city’s renaissance and revitalize the 30-year-old Southeastern flagship of Hilton Hotels Corporation. The renovations will continue through the end of 2008.
The Hilton New Orleans Riverside completed $40 million in improvements earlier this year, including the redesign of the front desk, a convenient guest services area with express check-in kiosks, an expanded business center, and refreshed meeting space throughout the hotel. Recent renovations also include upgrades to the "Health Club by Hilton" and the addition of a local dining institution, the 360-seat Drago's Seafood Restaurant.
“We are proud and excited about the continued upgrades to our hotel. These significant renovations show the commitment the Hilton Hotels Corporation has in the future of the city of New Orleans,” said General Manager Fred Sawyers.

Future projects include:

Riverside Building Guestrooms – Construction on these 455 rooms and seven suites is scheduled to begin April 2008 and finish by year-end. All rooms will be completely renovated, with new wall and floor finishes, 32” LCD flat screen televisions, desks that include a roll-out table for room service, oversized lounge chairs, new lamps, bedding, drapery and local artwork. All bathrooms will be updated with new floor and wall tile, new tubs or shower stalls, new granite counters with wooden vanity apron, new fixtures, new lighting and framed mirror. The Riverside guestroom corridors will receive new carpet, wall vinyl and lighting.

First Floor Bar & Le Croissant Restaurant – The first floor bar will be redesigned this year with a larger footprint, expanded seating options, and a grand illuminated bar. The centerpiece of this new concept will be a massive “floating” mural surrounding the entire area, created by a New Orleans artist. Le Croissant, the hotel’s casual dining restaurant, will also be redesigned with new furniture, lighting and carpet, as well as a new stylistic buffet to feature the Hilton Breakfast.

Main Building Guestrooms – This year all rooms will receive new Serenity Bed mattresses and box springs, as well as designer bed skirts, decorative top sheets and bed linen to create the ultimate in sleeping comfort.

River Blends Café – By fall 2007, this updated new venue on the second floor will function as a “Proudly Serves Starbucks” coffee bar by day and cocktail lounge at night, overlooking the hotel atrium.

Riverside Building – New lobby carpet is being installed on the first and second floors, and by summer 2007 almost all meetings rooms will have new carpet and wall vinyl.

In the "center of it all," the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel is set immediately on the banks of the Mississippi River with easy access to everything New Orleans has to offer. This full service luxury complex is actually a "city within itself." Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the full-service, flagship brand for Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. For more information about our company, please visit our corporate website at www.hiltonworldwide.com.

JURY AWARDS $85,000 AGAINST HOTEL FOR SUBJECTING FAMILY TO PORNOGRAPHY

Edwina McCombs, a Tennessee resident, who was visiting Southern California to vacation with her eight and nine year old daughters, was awarded $85,000 recently when a jury found Value Lodge, an Artesia motel, liable for involuntarily subjecting her girls to hard-core pornographic movies. McCombs checked into the Value Lodge where she informed the front desk that she was there with her two young daughters. When she was in the room, McCombs went to take a bath and the children turned on the television to watch a children’s show. Instead, the children were subjected to hard-core pornography with close-up images of people engaged in sodomy and homosexual acts. Leejanice Toback, an attorney for McCombs, stated that this is probably the first such verdict against a hotel or motel for showing pornography.

“This shows that hotels cannot ignore the duty of care they owe their patrons. If hotels don’t have lock-outs that prevent young children from being involuntarily subjected to pornography, they will be liable,” said Eliot Krieger. The trial lasted two weeks. During the trial, the plaintiffs presented testimony from hotel expert Alan Snyder, who commented that in his 30 years experience, he has never seen a family hotel where some affirmative action was not necessary in order to access adult material. Although the motel claimed that there were signs warning the patrons that the adult channel could be turned off by the front desk, interviews with the jury indicated that no one believed it. The plainitffs also called Dr. Michael Perrotti, who extensively tested the children and described the harm that exposure to pornographic images have on young children. Dr. Perrotti stated that a child’s mind is like a hard drive on a computer and the images once implanted, are difficult to remove.
The girl’s parents and attorneys Leejanice Toback and Eliot F. Krieger are thrilled with the verdict and the message it sends.

HOLLOW BROOK GOLF CLUB OPENS NEW 2,800-SQUARE-FOOT BANQUET PAVILION

The Pavilion at Hollow Brook Offers Exceptional Cuisine and Gracious Hospitality – Bookings Now Being Accepted
Hollow Brook Golf Club has unveiled Westchester County's newest venue for corporate events, private parties and weddings. Located just one hour from Manhattan at the members-only golf club, The Pavilion at Hollow Brook is now accepting bookings from the public.
Situated on the tranquil grounds of Hollow Brook Golf Club, The Pavilion offers panoramic views of the pristine golf course and surrounding mountains. Accommodating up to 200 guests, the rustically elegant interior features vaulted ceilings, relaxed decor, natural wood detailing and a large dance floor. Wall-to-wall sliding glass doors connect The Pavilion to the natural setting of the golf course.

The Pavilion at Hollow Brook hosts only one event at a time, allowing guests to enjoy the full attention of their professional planners and staff. Additionally, Hollow Brook's culinary team prepares superb contemporary American cuisine with customized packages to suit any affair.

"Our professional staff is committed to creating extraordinary catered affairs. We offer expert advice and assist with every detail – from logistics and catering options to outside vendors like entertainment and hotel accommodations," explained David Fleming, Hollow Brook's general manager.

Spectacular views, exceptional cuisine and personalized service combine to make The Pavilion at Hollow Brook a premier venue in Westchester County. With the ability to cater large or small affairs, The Pavilion is perfect for corporate meetings and events, golf outings, charity fundraisers, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Communions, receptions and special occasions of any kind.
Hollow Brook Golf Club is located at 1060 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY. Call (866) 921-5984 ext. 1114 to schedule a personalized tour. For more information visit: www.golfhollowbrook.com.

Conveniently located in the beautiful lower Hudson River Valley, Hollow Brook Golf Club, an Empire Golf Management property, features a private golf course favored by highly skilled players as well as recreational golfers. This superb layout, designed by architect and owner of Empire Golf Management, Eric Bergstol, is situated on 250 acres of park-like property that features beautiful
naturalized areas, large undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers. Hollow Brook is a visually stunning golf experience. The Pavilion at Hollow Brook is now accepting reservations from the public - call 866-921-5984 today to schedule a personalized tour or for more information visit: www.golfhollowbrook.com